Newcastle edge towards Cabella deal

However, despite the emergence of reports from France quoting the selling club's president Louis Nicollin claiming they and the Magpies have struck a deal, there is still work to be done before manager Alan Pardew gets his man.

ESPN's French columnist Julien Laurens broke the news on Twitter earlier on Friday.

Newcastle have been chasing the 24-year-old France international -- currently on holiday following his return from the World Cup finals -- since January when they attempted to sign him to replace Yohan Cabaye.

However, there were unable to reach an agreement then and Nicollin has since done little to encourage them in their ongoing pursuit. But it appears that a deal may now be there in principle, although it may be next week before he is pictured with a Newcastle shirt.

The Magpies have opened discussions too with Dutch club Feyenoord over Netherlands full-back Daryl Janmaat as a potential replacement for Mathieu Debuchy should he complete his proposed move to Arsenal.